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ATLANTA(AP) – Some politicians believe Grady Memorial Hospital’s new contract with Fulton County will lead to less oversight of the safety-net hospital. Fulton’s allocation to Grady has declined in recent years, from $59 million in 2009 to a tentative $51.7 million next year under a draft budget. That’s contributed to Grady facing a nearly $20 million shortfall this year.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that quarterly payments and audits will be replaced with monthly payments and an end-of-year reconciliation, which gives Grady faster access to the funds. State Sen. Vincent Fort, an Atlanta Democrat, predicts that Grady will close more clinics because its corporate board will have to answer less often to Fulton commissioners under the new arrangement.

Grady corporate board member Thomas Dortch said there will still be accountability under the new contract.